Hello!

My name is Lily-Sue, but my mummy calls me Munchkin (or 'Munch' for short!) I am 8 years old, and this is where my mummy will help me write all about all the fun things we do together. I hope you enjoy reading about the adventures of my mummy and me, Munchkin, with the occasional appearance from the siblings - Beastie and Plumlet.

Monday, 10 December 2012

Beans, Beanstalks and Big Burly Giants!

Our night at the Panto!

On Monday, 3rd December, 2012, mummy, daddy and I were treated to a special night at The Queens Theatre, Hornchurch for their 2012-13 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk! For the 13th year running, through his creative writing, Nicholas Pegg has delivered a wonderful festive treat, suitable for all the family!

We had been lucky enough to visit the Queens Theatre before for two of their other productions, Cinderella (2011) and Peter Pan (earlier this year) so we knew we were in for a magical evening! From the moment we stepped foot into the theatre foyer, once again we were met with excitable and smiling faces all round! We are always made to feel welcome at the Queens!

The performance itself was a festival of colour, fun and laughter from beginning to end. Once again, the principal roles were played by the theatre's resident company, Cut to the Chase, who, in our opinion, never fail to impress and entertain! Alongside the professionals, 24 local schoolchildren joined the stage, taking on the roles of villagers, goblins and dainty, light-footed rainbow sprites!

Allison Harding as Mrs Thunderskull and Alison Thea-Skot as JackPhotography by Nobby Clark

The show is exciting and captivating from the very beginning, as the story begins pretty much as we all know it. Until we are introduced to the eccentric Dame Trot and her many costume changes. To say that she brightens up the stage would not really do actor, Simon Jessop, justice. From the performances we have seen, this man makes the perfect dame! And judging by his Gangnam Style moves on stage this year, it would seem his talents don't stop there!

With other characters including Jack's sweet best friend, Jill (Natasha Moore), the sly Fleshcreep (James Earl Adair) the bumbling Mr Bumble (Sean Needham) and the loyal and loveable pets Buttercup the Cow (Billy Irving & Samuel Ward Smith) and Minerva the Chicken (Samuel Ward Smith), the story begins to unfold into a series of events that are sure to have you laughing and joining in with the familiar calls of "He's behind you!!!!" And to top it all off, Billy Irving also treats the audience to a delightfully large and loud Giant Thunderskull in a way I never expected!

I laughed, I gasped, I sang, I shouted, I clapped, I booed and I cheered. Best of all, I followed Jack and his friends all the way up that beanstalk into the magical Land in the Clouds and was well and truly a part of their adventure throughout the performance. The music was expertly composed and wonderfully performed, the set was skilfully constructed and cleverly employed, the story was adapted brilliantly and the characters were cast perfectly. Everything about Jack and the Beanstalk at the Queens just worked!

Simon Jessop as Dame TrotPhotography by Nobby Clark

Jack and the Beanstalk will continue to run at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch until the 12th January, 2013 and we recommend the show to anyone who is able to go! You are guaranteed 2 full hours of pure entertainment. Every performance leaves me even more excited about their next creation!

Don't forget our COMPETITION to win a family ticket to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch in January 2013 which ends soon!

For more information about the show and ticket availability, visit the theatre WEBSITE.

Keep up-to-date with all future news from the Queens Theatre by following them on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

We received complimentary tickets to the performance for the purpose of the review, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% our own!